Newburgh RB Johnson hopes to return after being shot

Monday

Oct 8, 2012 at 2:00 AMOct 8, 2012 at 8:38 PM

Running back Aaron Johnson adjusted his blue Newburgh Free Academy hat with the signature "N" attached on it before the Goldbacks' game against Pine Bush on Saturday, sliding it on top of his orange hoodie.

JUSTIN RODIRGUEZ

Running back Aaron Johnson adjusted his blue Newburgh Free Academy hat with the signature "N" attached on it before the Goldbacks' game against Pine Bush on Saturday, sliding it on top of his orange hoodie.

If it were up to Johnson, he would have tossed the cap in favor of a shiny Newburgh helmet, lost the hoodie and put on his No. 7 jersey and pads. Johnson was shot in the leg on Sept. 27 and likely will miss the rest of the season.

"I hate standing on the sideline, I hate watching games," said Johnson, a senior. "I hate it, I hate it. But, by being here, I'm supporting the team. The team really wants to see that I'm OK. When I wasn't here for the last game (on Sept. 28 against Middletown), they lost it."

Still, Johnson is appreciative to be alive. Johnson was shot in his left thigh at 10:21 p.m. — on the evening before the Middletown game — at Fullerton Avenue and First Street in the City of Newburgh. He was taken by a friend to St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. Johnson, on the way from his girlfriend's house, said was walking in the neighborhood when he heard an argument nearby. Police are still investigating the shooting.

"I heard the gunshots and I ran," Johnson said. "I took four, maybe five steps. I didn't feel anything. Then I just fell and couldn't move anymore. I'm lucky to be alive. It could have been a lot worse. If it hit an artery in my leg, I could have bled out and died on the street."

A threat to run and catch the ball out of the backfield, Johnson had 248 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns this season. After he was shot, opposing players and coaches reached out to Newburgh coach Bill Bianco, passing their well-wishes to Johnson.

"It was just real unfortunate to hear," said Pine Bush running back Matt Geisler. "It's tough to see anyone go through that. I know he's good and I would have liked to play against him. I tried to talk to him before our game, but he didn't seem too happy. You just have to wish him the best."

Johnson likely has run his last play for Newburgh, but he is hoping he can pull off a stirring comeback and play against rival Kingston on Oct. 19.

"I could be running in a month from when I was shot," said Johnson, still on crutches. "The doctors said it might even be three weeks. I want to play in that Kingston game. It would mean a lot to me."